How
to get thereMountain Hiking
Ohmine | Tambara | Tanigawa Dake | Behind the lodges
The Kamimoku area is a beautiful place for mountain hiking.
"Ohmine Yama" or "Mount Ohmine"
There are two routes for Mount Ohmine. One departs from Kamimoku village and another from the other side of the moutain, so-called "Ohmine Yama Guchi" ("the mouth of Mount Ohmine"). This last route is ideal for families with young children. A 20 to 30 min. hike brings you to "Ohmine Numa" or "Ohmine Pond", a nice area for piquenique. This is also a camping area. You may wish to continue from the pond, in direction of Mount Azuma. This second part is also quite easy and will bring you after another 30 min. on the heights of the Norun ski station. The route to the peak of Mount Azuma will take another hour.
Instead of pursuing your hike to Mount Azuma, you may prefer to walk around the pond. It takes between 15 and 20 min. amd you will enjoy watching wild life. Ducks and Japanese serow ("Nihon kamoshika") are quite common in the area.
How
to get there
From the Jeep parking, take Road 291 for Jomo Kogen station on the other side of the river . Turn right at Road 272, the last crossing before Jomo Kogen station, and take the direction of Sarugakyo. After 10 min., turn right at the board indicating a rest house named "Miharashiso 見晴荘" or "The Panoramic View Inn" (if you have reached the "Gunma Cycle Sports Center" you have gone too far). At the end of the road, do not turn right for the rest house but proceed straight on. Park your vehicle at the end of the road. There are two free parkings available.
Tambara
The hiking course departs from the restaurant along the reservoir. Wild life is quite common, including bears. This is an easy hike for a family with children which may take between one and two hours dependiong on the course (marsh and/or beech tree forest or "buna").
Another alternative may be to rent some moutain bikes and cycle around the reservoir. It is better to piquenique near the restaurant, or down the hill, closer to the reservoir. Tables and seats are available free of charge.
You may also during the summer season (17 June to 17 September) visit the "Tambara Lavender Park", located within the premices of the ski station, for a small entrance fee (500 Yen). The course will take between 30 and 90 min. Lift is available for an extra fee (400 Yen). The Lavender Festival, between 19 July and 20 August, includes various musical events
How to get there
From the Jeep parking, take Road 265 for the Tambara ski station, at the end of the new road when coming back to Kamimoku. turn left either at the new tunnel, which will brings you behind the "Kinoko Center" or "Mushroom Center", or if you are not familiar with this short cut, turn left in the Sanno village. Take the directon of the Tambara ski station. Do not turn right for the ski station but proceed straight at the end of the road. there is a free parking near the restaurant.
Mout Tanigawa Dake
This is one of the most popular hike in the region, bringing each year ten of thousands of visitors, with a peak during the "koyo season", or "Mapple tree blossoming", in mid-October. The hike departs from the end of Road 291, also called "Doaiguchi", at the "Tanigawa Dake Ropeway"station. You may choose to walk to Tenjin Daira station (it takes nearly 90 min) or take the ropeway (R-T adult 1,900 yen, child 950 Yen - 10 min. 2.3 km). A short walk, or another lift (one way 400 Yen) from Tenjin Daira station will bring you to the start of Mount Tanigawa Dake route (altitude (altitude 1,321 meters). The hike is not recommended for young children, as it become some time steep and requires to proceed through narrow vulcanic stone paths. The hike to the peak of Mount Tanigawa Dake (altitude 2,000 meters). will take between 2 and 3 hours. There are some beautiful spots for piquenique on the way.
How to get there
From the Jeep parking take Road 61 for Minakami, which connect with Road 291 at the level of the Minakami bridge. Pass Minakami and Yubiso and proceed to the end of the road, until "Tanigawa Dake Ropeway". Park your vehicle in the modern, six-stored "Tanigawa Dake Base Plaza" building, located near the ropeway (500 Yen). An information center, a cafetariat and boutiques are also available in the building.
If you are already tired before to go to any of the recommend hiking courses, just hike behind the lodges. The small path after the bridge, at the end of the road, is very enjoyable.
